Local News

No gay marriage licenses in Logan Co.

Bacon advised to stick with civil unions for now

Logan County Clerk Pamela Bacon says she has no plans to join Front Range counties that are issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

County clerks in Denver and Pueblo counties have started issuing marriage licenses to gay couples after Adams District Judge Scott Crabtree ruled Colorado's ban on gay marriages unconstitutional Wednesday. Boulder County started issuing licenses to gay couples on June 25 after the U.S. 10th District Court, which includes Colorado, struck down Utah's gay marriage ban on June 25. Crabtree stayed his own ruling until the matter can be fully adjudicated, possibly including a trip to the U.S.Supreme Court. County clerks in Denver and Pueblo counties have proceeded, however, on the assumption that gay marriage rights will ultimately be upheld, as they have before.

Other Colorado county clerks have indicated they are talking with their county attorneys about how to proceed. Logan County Clerk Pamela Bacon told the Journal-Advocate on Friday that she has consulted with the county attorney and, on his advice, isn't making any changes now.

"I'm kind of big on following the law," Bacon said, "and right now the law says we can issue civil union licenses, so that's what we'll continue to do.

Bacon pointed out that Colorado Attorney General John Suther has said the state will officially fight to uphold the gay marriage ban. That has most county clerks, including Bacon, holding off on issuing anything but civil union licenses for the time being.

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"Of course, if the Supreme Court ruled against (the gay marriage ban) that would a different thing," Bacon said. "But for now, our county attorney has advised us to stand with the civil unions and see what happens in the courts."

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